Machine for cleaning furs



1940- N. v. HAGOPIAN MACHINE FOR CLEANING FURS Filed June 14, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR icholas 1 lia o aian ATTORNEYS Filed June 14, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Jan. 30, 1940. N. v. HAGOPIAN 2,188,684,

MACHINE FOR CLEANING FURS Filed Jime 14, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 3 z ZVichoas I Hqyqpian ATTORN EYS Jan.'30, 1940! N. v. HAGOPIAN MACHINE FOR CLEANING FURS 4 Sheets- Sheet 4 Filed June 14, 1937 I77 //2 L I INVENTOR hgcholas I lla o nan ATTORN EYS Patented Jan. 30, 1940 I I I UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE" 2,188,684 MACHINE FOR CLEANING FURS Nicholas V. Hagopian, Cleveland, Ohio Application June 14, 1937, Serial No. 148,020

11 Claims. (Cl. 15-4) This invention relates to cleaning machines cleaning machine having a plurality of tumand more particularly to such machines in which bling drums;

the article or articles to be cleaned are tumbled Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail diagrammaticalwith a cleaning agent or compound of solid charly illustrating'the manner in which cleaning comacter. pound is automatically supplied to the tum- 5 The usual method of cleaning fur and the bling drum; 1 like involves subjecting the articles to a drum- Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail in section illusming or tumbling action in a cylinder or cage trating the construction and operation of the into which a quantity of cleaning material has dump bottom for the spent cleaning material been introduced. This cleaning materialisusualbin; 10 ly in the form of solid comminuted particles such Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail illustrating the as sawdust, sand, wood chips, or ground-up corn manner in which the rotary motion of the tumcobs and the like. A cleaning fluid, for. example, bling drums is retarded as they move from the naphthalene, gasoline, ammonia, or benzol, is lower to the upper lap of the carrying chains;

usually used to wet the particles of the solid Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the cleaning ma- 15 cleaning agent to promote a more efficient cleanchine illustrated in Fig. 1; ing action. When the solid particles come into Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevational detail view intimate contact with the'fur after such drumshowing the cleaning compound feeding mechming or'tumbling has continued for a sufiicient anism;

period of time, it is then necessary to remove the Fig. '7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional de- 20 solid particles of the cleaning agent and dry the tail with parts removed showing the manner in, fun which a tumbling drum being carried from the Various methods and apparatus for accomupper to the lower lap of the carrying chain has plishing this have been proposed but they have its rotational velocity retarded; not operated to entire satisfaction. It is, there- Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail in section show- 25 fore, an object of the present invention to proing the central journal for the damper shafts vide an improved fur cleaning machine simple of the cleaning compound hoppers;

in design and construction and inexpensive to Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view with parts manufacture. Such a machine, constructed in removed taken substantially on the line 9-9 :m accordance with the present invention, combines of Fig. 1;

a multiplicity of advantageous features. It has Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail plan view taken an increased capacity and, if desired, may be substantially on the line l0l0 of Fig. 1; maintained in continuous operation. The tum- Figs. 11 to 15 are fragmentary detail views bling cylinders or cages are constructed with a in section illustrating the construction of th 33 view tov an improved cleaning action on the tumbling cylinder or drum, Figs. 13, 14 and 15 fur with a minimum of scrubbing and wear being taken substantially on the corresponding thereof. At the inception of a cleaning cycle lines indicated in Fig. 12;

the articles are placed in a drum and remain Fig. 16 is a fragmentary detail in section showtherein without the necessity-of being further ing the blower shaft clutch; 4o handled until they are completely cleaned and Fig. 17 is a side elevational view of a modified dried. The supply of cleaning compound to the form of cleaning machine constructed in a tumbling cages during operation of the machine cordance Wlth the Present n o is automatic, so that the careful supervision of 18 is an end elevational View with parts an attendant is eliminated and provision is made broken away of the clea'mng machme Illustrated in Fig. 1'7; 45 for blowing the spent cleaning compound out of the articles without interfering with the tum- 19 1s vertmal seqtmnal detail y wlth parts broken away, showmg the reversing mechblmg thereof in the cages.

amsm used in the machine of Figs. 17 and 18 Other obJects and advantages W111 become apand enlarged with respect thereto;

3 parent from the following detailed descriptions of Fig 20 is a fragmentary-detail View mustrat suitable embodmlents of the mvfmtmn made ing the friction drive for the tumbling cylinder connection with the accompanying drawings in of the qdifled a hine of Figs. 17 and 18; and which: Fig. 21 is a sectional view taken on the line Figure l is a side elevational view, partly in 2l-2l of Fig. 20. p section and with parts removed, showing a fur The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 through 55 I6 is supported by four rectangularly disposed uprights I. At each side of the machine are three horizontal support members 2, 3 and 4 which extend between the uprights disposed on that side of the machine. At each end of the machine extending between and supported by the uprights I are top and bottom cross members 5, and I. The side supporting members 2 and 4 are positioned at substantially equivalent heights to the cross members 5 and 1 respectively.

A casing is carried by the framing members and includes side panels 8 and top panels 9. A number of the side panels, indicated by the numeral Ill, are removable, being held between the side supporting members 2 and 3, and 3 and 4 respectively, by swiveled fasteners or buttons ll. Housings enclose the opposite ends of the machine and comprise top and bottm panels l2 and M respectively, curved end panels l5, and side panels I6. The housing positioned at the right hand end of the machine as viewed in Fig. 1 is supported by fastening plates l1 secured to the uprights I so that it can be swung to the broken line position illustrated in Fig. 5 for loading'the tumbling drums as will be hereinafter pointed out.

Extending across each end of the machine, substantially midway between top and bottom cross members 5 and I, are horizontal shafts l9 journaled in brackets 20 secured to uprights 1. Each of these shafts has secured thereon a pair of spaced sprocket wheels 2|. The shafts l9 are disposed in spaced parallel relation with respect to one another and both pairs of the sprocket wheels 2| are equal distances apart so that a pair of endless belts or chains 22 are carried in parallel relation at opposite sides of the machine and operated in synchronization with one another. Each chain belt has an upper lap disposed above the general level of the side-supporting members 3 and a lower lap disposed generally below the side supporting members 3.

Suspended between the chain belts 22 are a plurality of tumbling drums or cages, indicated generally by the numeral 24. Each of these drums or cages has a pair of spaced parallel end members 25 preferably in the form of circular disks and provided at central portions with hub members 26. Each of the hubs has secured therein a stub shaft 21 journaled in a special link element 29 formedinto one of the side chains 22. The end members 25 of the tumbling drums or cages 24 may be suitably formed of one or more thicknesses of plywood as indicated.- in Figs. 13 through 15. A band or rim 29 preferably formed of metal is circumferentially disposed about each of the end members 25 and has an inwardly extending radially directed flange portion 39 overlying the peripheral margin of the end member.

- faces disposed radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the tumbling drum. In addition, it is advantageous if the inner edges of such bars are extended inwardly a slight distance with respect to the round bars 3| as shown in Fig. 12. This manner of arranging the cage bars is advantageous in facilitating a more thorough cleaning action on the furs during the tumbling thereof within the cages. The relatively narrow edges of the fiat bars penetrate into the hide and have an efiective though not'objectionable scrubbing action on the pelt. The rods are secured in position by disposing their ends in sockets or apertures formed in the marginal portions of the end members 25; for the round bars 3| circular sockets are provided while elongated or rectangular sockets are formed for the flat bars 32. These sockets extend completely through the end members 25 so that the bars abut against the flange 30 of the rim 29. .A plurality of round bars 3| have their ends threaded as indicated *at 33 (see Fig. 13) and extend entirely through both the end member 25 and the flange 30. Nuts 34 screwed on these threaded rods are disposed on opposite sides of each end member and flange to hold the rim and end members of the cage together and retain the opposed end members of each cage in proper relative positions. In addition to the fiat and round bars previously described, supplemental bars 35 disposed radially inwardly from the bars 3| and 32 may also be extended between the endmembers 25. These supplemental bars serve to arrest rolling movement of articles in the cage during rotation of the latter and uponimpact of an article thereupon have a kneading action which works the cleaning compound into the interstices of the fur.

The sprocket wheels 2| are driven in a manner to be hereinafter described so that the upper lap of the endless chain travels to the right as viewed in Fig. l and the lower lap travels to the left. As each of the tumbling drums moves along the lower lap with the side chains 22 the rims 29 of the end members ride on spaced parallel rails or tracks 31 extending longitudinally through the machine and supported on the bottom end cross member I. In this manner the tumbling drums in eifect roll across a lower deck of the machine, being supported thereby and given a rotative movement.

During the movement of the tumbling drums traveling with the endless chains 22 across their upper lap, the rims 29 of the drums are supported by tracks or rails 38 arranged in spaced parallel.

relation with respectto one another and carried by auxiliary cross members 39 secured between side supporting members 3 sufliciently inward from the shafts l9 to avoid the sprocket wheels 2|. Tumbling drums advancing across the upper deck of the machine are given a rotational movement opposite in direction to that of their travel across the lower deck. Such reversal in rotational movement of the tumbling drums is beneficial in a cleaning machine of this character since the furs fold and unfold a plurality of times affording a thorough working of the hides and permitting deep penetration of the cleaning compound among the individual hairs of the fur.

As the special link elements 28 are carried around the sprocket wheels 2| at the ends of the upper and lower decks, the rotational movement of the tumbling drums is retarded so that when the rims 29 re-engage one of the tracks 31 or 38' an abrupt stop or jerking of the cage is avoided. This is accomplishedv at the loading or left end of the machine as viewed in Fig. 1 by means of relatively small friction wheels 4|] (Fig. 4) which are secured on the shaft IS in line with the rims 29 of the tumbling drums. As each of the tumbling drums 24 reaches the end of the bottom track 31 thus completing its movement across the lower deck of the machine the rims 29 engage the friction wheels 48, retarding and finally arresting the counterclockwise rotational movement of the drum as viewed in Fig. 1. This engagement between the rims 29 and friction wheels continues until the tumbling drum is deposited on the track 38 in the upper deck of the machine at which time the special link element 28 moves way from the sprocket 2| and the rims 29 are released by the friction wheels 48 so that the tumbling drums can commence a rolling action over the track 38.

At the opposite end of the machine, as the tumbling drums are carried around the sprocket wheels 2| from the upper to the lower deck, the rims 29 are engaged by are or scimitar shaped braking members 4| preferably lined with a suitable friction material 42.. The lower end of the brake member 4| is pivoted at 43 to a bracket secured in the bottom panel l4 of the end housing. The upper end of the brake member 4| has an angularly disposed portion 44 connected by a tension spring 45 to a bracket 48 secured in the top panel l2 of the end housing. This spring is arranged to urge the brake member into engagement with the rims of the tumbling drums and stop elements 41 secured in the curved end panel l5 of the end housing engage the portions 44 to limit movement of the brake members 4|. The considerable clockwise rotational movement (as viewed in Fig. 1) of each tumbling drum as it reaches the sprockets 2| at the end of its movement over the upper deck of the machine, is gradually arrested by the brake members 4| as shown in Fig. 7 and it is deposited on the track 31 of the lower deck with zero clockwise rotational movement or even with a slight counterclockwise rotational movement. While one of the tumbling drums is in contact with the brake'members 4| the portions 44 move away from the stops 45 slightly tensioning the springs 45.

The sprocket wheels 2| and side chains 22 are driven by motor 48 carried on the top of the machine by cross members 49 extending between the side members 2. A V-belt 30 is run around pulley 5| on the motor shaft and the large sheave of a compound pulley 52 loosely carried by a shaft 53 mounted in brackets 54 secured to and upstanding from the side supporting members 2. V-belt 55 rides in the small sheave of the compound pulley 52 and a large pulley wheel 58 secured on one end of a shaft 51 journaled in brackets 58 secured to the top side of supporting members 2. The opposite end of the shaft 51 extends beyond the side panels 8 of the machine and has secured thereon a small flat belt pulley 89 (Fig. 9) This pulley drives a belt 88 riding on a large driven pulley 8| secured on one of the shafts |9 extending beyond the side panels 8. The sprockets 2| are thus driven from the motor 48 so that the relative high rotational velocity of the motor is reduced to about from between 20 to 45 R. P. M. for the sprockets 2|.

The shaft 53 has secured thereon a blower or fan 83 disposed in a housing 84 extending above the top panels 9 of the machine. The bottom of this housing is open to the interior of the machine above the upper deck and an inlet aperture 85 is provided in the housing 84 for admitting air to the blower to be circulated through the machine. As previously mentioned, the compound drive pulley 52 is freely rotatable on shaft 53 so that the motor 48 does not at all times drive the fan 83. In order that a driving connection between Another lustrated to advantage in Figs. 9 and 16. A

toothed clutch element 88 is keyed to the shaft- 53 and has longitudinal sliding engagement therewith. A plurality of teeth 81 are formed circumferentially at one end of this clutch element and are engageable with a plurality of similar clutch teeth 88 formed circumferentially about the abutting end of the compound pulley 52. An annular groove 89 formed circumferentially about the clutch element (i8 receives the bifurcated end of a clutch lever 18 pivoted at H in an extension of one of the brackets 58. A flanged stop or hub 13 is secured on the shaft 53 and is received in a circular recess in the compound pulley 52. A circular gib 14 secured to the pulley 52 engages the flange of the stop I3 thus preventing longitudinal movement of the pulley 52 on the shaft 53. Accordingly, when the motor 48 is in operation driving the compound pulley 52 the fan 83 may be set in operation by actuation of the clutch lever 10. The fan is arranged to draw air in through the opening 85 and force it downwardly through thercages 24 as they pass beneath the opening from the hood or housing 84 of the fan. a, This blowing action serves to release comminuted particles of the cleaning compound from the furs being cleaned and the released compound drops through the openings between the bars of the tumbling drum to the bottom of the machine.

On the topv of the machine at the loading end thereof and extending transversely across the .width of the machine is a pair of cleaning compound hoppers '|5 and 18 (Fig. 6) arranged in side by side relation with respect to one another. These hoppers have chutes I1 and 18 respectively which open into the interior of the machine directly above the path of the tumbling drums 24 as they commence their movement across the upper lap of the machine. Dampers or butterfly valves 19 and are arranged in the chutes I1 and 18, respectively, to regulate the passage of the cleaning compound from the hoppers 15 and I6 into the interior of the cleaning machine. Each butterfly is carried on one of a pair of shafts 8| and 82 which extend. through the hopper chutes from opposite sides of the machine and are in axial alinement with one another. At the sides of the machine the shafts 8| and 82 are journaled in brackets 83 secured to the top side supporting members 2. The inner ends of the shafts abut one another and are carried in. an elongated journal 84 illustrated in detail in Fig, 8, which is carried by partition member 85 separating hopper 15 and chute 11 from hopper l8 and chute 18. A lever 88 is secured on the outer extremity of each of the shafts 8| and 82. The end of each of these levers pivotally carries a link member 81 having a bifurcated end receivable on one of a plurality of pins 88 formed at spaced intervals along an actuating lever 89. secured on the ends of short'shafts 98 journaled in and secured against longitudinal movement by the top side supporting members 2 and extension bracket members 92 fastened to the ends of the chutes 11 and 18. Arms 93 are secured to the short shafts and depend therefrom through the top panel 9 of the machine into the interior thereof adjacent the path of the tumbling drums across the upper deck. The lower extremity of each of the arms 93 carries a cam roller 94. These cam rollers are normally disposed immediately adjacent and above the chain belts 22 at the starting end of the upper 'lap. Upon the movement of one of the tumbling drums 24 from the lower deck These actuating levers are to the upper deck of the machine so that the special link elements 28 securing the drums to the chains commence their mot/ement across the upper lap of the chains the link elements engage the cam roller 94 just as the rims 29 of the drum are positioned on the upper track 38. Continued movement of the drum 24 across the upper deck displaces the arms 93 to the right (see Fig. 2) so that the shafts 99 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction. The butterfly or damper valve actuated by each of the arms permits the discharge of comminuted cleaning compound from the chute associated therewith. The cleaning compound thus released drops through the openings between the bars of the tumbling cage and falls among the folds of the articles being cleaned so that it is agitated therewith and worked among the fibres and hairs to thoroughly clean the fur. As the tumbling drum 24 moves further across the upper deck of the machine the cam rollers 94 are released by the special link elements 28 and the damper valves are returned to closed position by a tension spring 95 connected to the arms 93.

During normal operation of the cleaning machine it is desirable that only one of the butterfly valves or dampers be operated at a time. This is for the reason that it is proposed to fill one of the hoppers, for example hopper I6, with a cleaning compound composed of comminuted particles of solid material such as sawdust, ground-up corn cobs or the like which has been saturated with a suitable solvent such as benzene, naphthalene, ammonia, or gasoline. The other bin or hopper, for example hopper I5, will be filled with the same character of cleaning compounds but in the dry state, that'is, without being saturated with a liquid solvent. Only one of these hoppers will have the cleaning compound released therefrom, and the other hopper will remain idle. This is accomplished by slipping the bifurcated end of the proper link'8'l off of the pin 88 of the lever 89 so that it hangs disconnected, as indicated by the broken lines of Fig. 1. Accordingly, oscillatory movement of the arm 93 and actuating lever 89 normally associated therewith is ineffective to open the butterfly or damper 89 and cleaning compound is not released from the hopper I8 when the tumbling drum or cage passes therebeneath.

When it is desired to feed cleaning compound from the hopper I9 and discontinue the feeding from hopper I5 the link member 81 associated with the latter is disconnected and the link associated with the hopper I6 is applied over one of the pins 88 which will give the desired opening and closing movement to the butterfly 89.

During the tumbling of the articles in the drums while traveling back and forth across the upper and lower decks of themachine, particles of the cleaning compound escape from between the bars of the drum and fall into a bin at the bottom of the machine which is positioned between the its axis and between the two halves is positioned a relatively thin shutter 99. I These shutters are each of a length to extend substantially across the entire distance between the'side members 99 and are of awidth substantially equal to the distance between the axes of the split bars 98.

Desirably the bars 98 and shutters 99 may be of wooden construction so that each unit may be assembled by nails or screws fastening the two halves of the split bars and securing the shutter elements therebetween. A control rod I99 is positially closed bottom is provided for the bin of the machine. By movement of the control rod I99 to the right so that it is slightly lowered to the broken line position of Fig. 3, each of the shutters is pivoted on its split bar 98 to assume the broken line position shown, being thus held by the hooks i and eyes I9| connected to the control rod I99. Movement of the rod to the left then pivots the shutters 99 to the horizontal position closing the bin. This back and forth movement of the control rod I99 is accomplished by a lever I92 secured to a shaft I93 extending across the machine and journaled in the uprights I. Adjacent the rod |99 the shaft I93 has secured thereon a short lever I94 and a link I95 (Fig. 1), the latter, being connected to the end of the control rod. Accordingly, during the operation of the machine as the bin becomes loaded with spent cleaning compound the latter may be released therefrom by a simple actuation of the lever I92 to dump the sawdust on the floor underneath the machine after which the shutters of the bin are closed and the machines may be continued in operation and the sawdust disposed of.

In loading the machine with articles to be cleaned, they are introduced into the tumbling drums 24 through a door of special construction, which is illustrated in Fig. 11. A number of the bars 32, instead of being secured in the previously described aperturesor sockets in the end members 25 and abutting against the flanges 39 of the rims 29, have their extremities secured to segmental casing members I9'I. These casing members are disposed flatwise against the inner sides of the end members 25 and correspond in contour to the peripheral marginal edges thereof. A bayonet slot I98 is formed in corresponding opposite ends of each of the casing members and. arranged to slide over one of the adjacent bars 3| which is secured in the end members 25. The opposite end of each of the casing members is notched to provide a finger portion I99 which engages one side of another bar 3| secured between the side members 25 of the drum, and a spring clip II 9 on the casing member engages the opposite side of such bar 3| to retain the segmental casing member in position. When it is desired to remove the door from the tumbling drum the segmental casing members I91 are moved longitudinally so that one bar 3| slides to the end of the bayonet slot |98.releasing the finger I99 and spring clip 9' at the opposite end of the member which then allows the door to be pivoted out of position." The door is replaced by reversing the operation.

With the articles to be cleaned positioned in the tumbling drums 24 the machine is operated in acordance with the following method:

Motor 48 is set in motion which rotates the sprocket wheels 2| carrying the tumbling drums back and forth across the top and bottom decks of the machine. During the travel of the drums across the upper deck they rotate in a clockwise direction and during their travel across the lower deck they rotate in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1 and as previously described. Between each reversal in direction of rotation of the tumbling drum there is a gradual deceleration of rotational velocity which minimizes jerks and strains in the machine and prevents harmful scraping or abrasion of the articles beingcleaned in the tumbling drum. The hopper I5 is filled with the wet cleaning compound of comminuted solid particles and the mechanism arranged so that at each passage of a tumbling drum beneath the chute 18 a quantity of the wet compound is permitted to drop by gravity therefrom between the openings of the tumbling drum bars onto the articles contained therein so that it is commingled with and worked around between the hairs of the fur, effecting an efficient and thorough cleaning thereof. As the tumbling of the articles within the drum continues some of the cleaning compound will dry and will become dislodged from the article being cleaned so that it falls from the drums and is received in the bin at the bottom. However, this loss of the cleaning compound is replenished each time the drum passes underneath the chute I8 so that at all times the articles are continuously supplied with a fresh quantity of cleaning compound. In this manner when the compound becomes dirty it is not repeatedly tossed around in the articles but is dislodged therefrom and comes to rest in the bin from which it may be removed as desired.

After a sufilcient treatment of the articles with the wet cleaning compound the link 81 associated with the.butter fly in he chute is disconnected from the pin on the lever 89 so that it hangs downward as shown by the broken line of Fig. 1, and movement of the tumbling drums past the corresponding cam roller 94 is ineffective to discharge morewet cleaning compound from the hopper I5. At the same time the link 81 associated with the butterfly I9 in the chute I1 is connected to its corresponding lever 89 so that dry cleaning compound, which has meanwhfle been placed in the hopper 15, is deposited on the articles in the tumbling drums as each drum passes beneath the chute I! at the starting end of the upper deck. During the operation of the machine with dry cleaning compound the latter is worked into and through the fibres of the furs so that a beneficial cleaning and glazing action is effected. Furthermore; moisture which has been received by the articles from the wet cleaning compound is absorbed by the dry cleaning compound taking the dirt and foreign particles with it so that a more thorough cleaning action is obtained than was possible with previous methods. As the tumbling with dry compound proceeds, particles thereof escape from the tumbling drums and fall into the bin at the bottom of the machine. However, a fresh supply is received at the commencement of each passage across the upper deck so that at all times an adequate quantity of the cleaning compound is commingled with .the articles. Upon completion of the cleaning action with the continuous supply of fresh cleaning compound, both of the link elements 81. are disconnected so that no more cleaning compound is introduced into the machine. After a short period of operation in this fashion the particles are substantially freed of all of the solid particles of the cleaning compound and that which has collected in the bin at the bottom of the machine is dumped therefrom by actuation of the lever I04. While the rotation and tumbling of the drums 24 continues the clutch lever I0 is actuated to start the operation of blower 63 which then circulates a current of air through the interior of the machine and blows the remaining solid particles of cleaning compound from the articles being tumbled. The articles are then removed from the drums which are ready to receive another quantity and the cycle repeated.

In Figs. 17 through 21 is illustrated a modified construction of cleaning machine embodying the present invention. A number of details of construction of this modification correspond with features of the machine illustrated in Figs. 1 through 16 and have accordingly been indicated by the same numerals of reference. Av single tumbling drum 24 replaces the plurality of drums used in the previous machine but may be of substantially the same construction. It is secured on a shaft II2 which replaces the stub shafts 21 and extends entirelyacross the machine, being journalled in brackets II4 supported on cross members II5 extending between the uprights I on opposite sides of the machine. The tumbling drum is driven by a motor II6 connected to a large pulley wheel III by a belt II8. This pulley wheel is secured on a shaft H9 (Fig. 19) journaled in upstanding brackets I20 supported by a shelf I2I at one end of the machine. Also supported by the brackets I20 is a mechanism for automatically reversing the direction of rotation of the tumbling drum 24 after a number of revolutions in each direction. Referring to Fig. 19, each of the brackets I 2I has journaled therein a separate clutch sleeve (I23 and I 24 respectively) which axially receive shaft 9 for rotation therein. Also journaled in the brackets I20 is a threaded shaft I25 which is below and parallel with shaft II9. A gear I26 is secured on clutch sleeve I23 and meshes with a gear I21 secured on thethreaded shaft I25. Similarly a gear I28 secured on the clutch sleeve I24 has driving engagement with a gear I29 secured on shaft I25, at the opposite end thereof from the gear I21, through an intermediate gear I30 journaled on a stub shaft carried by an extension of the bracket I 20 which receives the clutch sleeve I24. A reciprocable clutch element I3I is received on the shaft II9 between the clutch faces 7 on the ends of the clutch sleeves I23 and I 24.

This clutchelement is arranged for sliding movement on the shaft II9 but is secured thereon against rotation so as to be driven by the motor H6. Circumferentially arranged teeth I32 are formed on opposite ends of the reciprocable clutchelement I3I and the corresponding meeting faces on the ends of the'clutch sleeves I23 and I 24 to permit selective establishment of a driving connection between either the clutch element I23 and the shaft 9 or the clutch element I24 and the shaft 9.

The clutch sleeve I24 extends beyond the bracket I20 and has secured thereon a flangedcoupling assembly, indicated at I33, which establishes a driving connection between the clutch element I 24 and a shaft I34 (Fig. 18). This shaft I34 has its opposite end journaled in a bracket I35 secured to one of the uprights I and its extremity-has secured thereon a small pulley forks of the spring plate to secure the collar I40 against rotation on the shaft I25. The upper ends of the forks of the bifurcated spring plate have their inner edges received in a groove I44 formed circumferentially about the clutch element I3I.

The distance between the toothed clutch faces of the sleeves I23 and I24 is greater than the length of the clutch element I3I so that the latter cannot be in engagement with both clutch sleeves simultaneously. When starting up the machine, if a driving connection does not exist between the clutch element I3I and one of the clutch sleeves such a connection may be established by manually drawing on handle portion I45 which extends across the upper extremities of the forks of the spring plates MI. The motor I I6 is arranged to drive the large pulley wheel II1 on the shaft II9 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 17. With a driving connection between the clutch element I3I and the clutch sleeve I23 the threaded shaft I25 is rotated through the gears I26 and I21. This rotational movement is transmitted to the clutch sleeve I24 through the gears I28 and I29 and intermediate .gear I30 so that the clutch sleeve I24 rotates on the shaft H9 in an opposite direction to the rotation of the shaft I I9 caused by the motor I I6. Through the coupling I33 this reverse rotation of the clutch sleeve I24 is transmitted to the shaft I34 which thus drives the tumbling drum 24 through the pulley wheels I36 and I31. Rotation of the shaft I25 causes longitudinal movement thereon of the threaded collar I40 which gradually moves from the left to the right as viewed in Fig. 19. This induces a clockwise pivotal movement of the spring plate I4I about the pivot I42 which tends to withdraw the clutch element I3I out of engagement with the clutch sleeve I23. However, the frictional engagement between the clutch teeth I32 resist this movement of the clutch element I3I so that the spring plate MI is bowed. When the stress in the spring plate I is sufficient to withdraw the clutch element I3I from the clutch element I23 they separate with a snap action so that the clutch element I3I moves quickly across the intervening space between the clutch sleeve I23 and clutch sleeve I24, so that the latter sleeve is immediately engaged by the clutch element I3I, establishing a direct drive between the shaft H9 and I34,

In order that this rapid reversal of direction of rotation of the shaft I34 will not be directly transmitted to the tumbling 'drum to cause a jerking of the latter and consequent deleterious or abrasive scrubbing action of the articles being cleaned, a friction drive is provided between the large pulley wheel I31 and the shaft II2 of the tumbling drum. Referring to Figs. 20 and 21,

the pulley wheel I31 has a hub I46 carried by the shaft H2 and freely rotatable thereon. An annular cylindrical friction drum I41 is .formed on the large pulley wheel and has an axis coinciding with the axis of the shaft II2. A brake shoe hub I48 is keyed on the shaft II2 adjacent the end thereof and has a sleeve portion which extends over the hub I46 of the large pulley I31.

and within the cylindrical friction drum I41.

Brake shoes I49 are pivoted to an extension I50 of the brake shoe hub I48 and urged into frictional engagement with the interior surface of the friction drum I41 by means of a compressionspring I5I. Accordingly, the drive between the large pulley I31 and the tumbling drum shaft I I2 is through the medium of friction drum I41 and brake shoes I49. There is thus a gradual acceleration and deceleration in rotational velocity" of the drum at each direction of rotation so that there are no objectionable strains exerted on the articles, and they are not violently agitated.

tending downwardly and communicating with the interior of the tumbling drum chamber formed by a casing or shell I56. The opening 65 adjacent the blower admits the air to be circulated through the tumbling drum chamber.

Disposed on opposite sides of the blower housing 64 are cleaning compound hoppers I51 and I58 which communicate with the tumbling drum chamber through chutes I59 and I60 respectively. Butterfly dampers I6I and I62 are positioned in the chutes I59 and I60 respectively to regulate the flow therethrough of the cleaning compound similarly to the action of the butterfly dampers 19 and 60 previously described. The damper I62 is secured on a shaft I63 extending through the chutes I59 and I60 and the blower hood 64. One extremity of this shaft extends wise extends beyond the uprights of. the machine. At its extremity is secured a cam lever I66. Additional support is provided for the shaft I63 and tubular sleeve I65 by a cross member I61 carried between the uprights of the 'ma-' chine. Springs I66 extend between a studsecured in the cross member I61 and the cam levers I64 and I66 to normally retain the butterfly dampers I6I and I62 in chute closing position.

A short shaft I10 is secured in an upper portion of the shell I56 and extends beyond the uprights of the machine underneath and in parallel relation with the shaft I63 and tubular sleeve I65. This shaft carries a cam I1I rotatable in the same plane as the cam lever I 66' and a cam I12 rotatable in the same plane as the cam lever I64. The cam I1I is secured to and rotates with a ratchet wheel I13 and the cam I12 is secured to and rotates with a ratchet wheel I14, both of the ratchet wheels bein freely rotatable on the short shaft I10. Straddling the cams and ratchet wheels is'a yoke I15 which has its ends pivoted on the shaft I10 and is connected by a link I16 to a lever I11 secured on a projecting end of the tumbling drum shaft II2. Intermediate the ends of the yoke I a pair of pawls I18 are pivotally mounted on pins I18. One of the pawls is engageable with the ratchet wheel I13 and the other engageable with the ratchet wheel I14. During rotation of the tion is imparted to the link I16 by the lever I11.

thus oscillating the yoke I15 about the shaft I10. This movement carries the pawls I18 back and forth circumferentially about the ratchet wheels I13 and I14 so that at each upward movement of-the yoke theratchet wheel engaged by a pawl is given a clockwise rotational movement as viewed in Fig. 17. This rotational movement is progressive and carries one of the cams past the corresponding camlever on either the shaft I83 or tubular sleeve I85 thus momentarily opening the corresponding chute to permitthe passage of the. cleaning compound from the proper hopper into the cleaning chamber within the shell where it falls on the articles being tumbled in the drum 24. It is to be understood that during the cleaning'operation only one of the pawls will be in engagement with one of the ratchet wheels and the other will be rotated out of operative position resting against the head of the yoke I15. In this manner the cleaning compound is selectively released from either the hopper I51 or the hopper I58 depending upon whether wet or dry cleaning compound is being used. The change from one type of cleaning compound to another may be made during continuous operation of the machine since one of the pawls I18 may be disconnected or connected with its corresponding ratchet wheel without stopping the operation of the machine. Also I both pawls may be disconnected if desired and the fan or blower 63 commenced in operation.

A drop or dump bottom is provided in the shell I58 and comprises a pair of pivotally mounted doors I8I shown in open position by the broken lines of Fig. 17. These doors are pivotally mounted on shafts I82 extending across the bottom of the casing I58 marginally of the opening therethrough. Levers I83 and I84 are secured to the projecting extremities of these shafts and are tied together for synchronous movement by v 'is similar to that of the multiple tumbling drum embodiment previously descr'bed. The tumbling drum 24 rotates first in one direction and then in another, being gradually celerated and then accelerated between each versal in direction of rotation.. Wet or dry comminuted particles of cleaning agent or compoundare released from the hoppers I51 and I58 in accordance with the setting of the pawls I18 so that fresh quantities of the cleaning compound are supplied through the openings in the tumbling-drum to the enclosed articles being cleaned, as required, and to replace losses of the cleaning compound from the tumbling drum. 1

Various modifications in details of construction and design are contemplated and the embodiments illustrated and described above are given for purposes of description and explanation.

Iclaim: I V

- 1. A cleaning machine comprising a tumbling drum for holding articles to be cleaned, a plurality of openings through a peripheral wall ofthe drum, means for rotating the drum, means for blowing a current of air onto articles in the drum to dry the same, and means exterior-of the drum for automatically dropping fresh cleaningcom pound of comminutedl solid particles having a liquid entrained therein in a. direction substantially parallel to the plane of rotation of the drum through the openings and onto articles in the .drum.

2. A cleaning machine comprising a tumbling drum for holding articles to be cleaned, a plurality of openings through a peripheral wall of the drum, means for rotating the drum, means for blowing a current of air onto articles in the drum to dry the same, and means exterior of the drum for automatically dropping fresh cleaning coinpound of comminuted solid particles havingda. liquid entrained therein in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of rotation of the drum through the openings and onto articles? in the drum, said blowing and drum rotating means actuated from a common shaft, and the blowing means arranged to be started and stopped without arresting the drum rotating means.

3. A cleaning machine comprising a tumbling drum for holding articles to be cleaned, a plurality of openings in the drum, means for rotatin the drum,,a hopper disposed above the drum for containing fresh cleaning compound of comminuted solid particles wetted by a suitable liquid cleaning agent and means for releasing-a quantity of fresh cleaning compound from the hopper to fall by gravity into the drum through the open-,

ings, said releasing means including a member engageablewith an-element of. the drum rotating means to periodically actuate the releasing means. I

. 4. A cleaning machine comprising a tumbling drum for holding articles to be cleaned, a plurality of openings in the drum, means for rotating the drum, a plurality .of hoppers disposed above the drum, means for releasing quantities of fresh cleaning compound fromeach hopper to fall by gravity into the drum through the openings, and means responsive to the movement of the drum for controlling the actuation of the releasing means.

5. A cleaning machinecomprising a pair of endless chains mounted for parallel synchronous movement, each chain having an upper lap and a lower lap, a plurality of tumbling drums carried between the chains, means for rotating the drums in one direction while carried between the upper laps of the chains, means for rotating the drums in a reverse direction while carried-be"- tweenthe lower laps of the chains, openings in the drums, and means for dropping solid-confminuted particles of cleaning compound wetted each reversal in direction of -rotation, and means for. dropping fresh cleaning compound of comminuted solid particles wetted by a suitable liquid cleaning agent through the openings and onto articles in the drum.

'7. A cleaning machine comprising a pair of endless flexible members mounted for parallel synchronous movement, each member having an upper run and a lower run, a plurality of tumbling drums carried between the members, means for effecting rotation of the drums in one direction as they are carried by the upper runs of the members, means for efiecting rotation of the drums in a reverse direction as they are carried by the lower runs of the members, and a curved member arranged to yieldingly engage each drum as it moves between the runs of the members to retard the rotation thereof.

8. A cleaningmachine comprising a pair of endless flexible members mounted for parallel synchronous movement, each member having an upper run and a lower run, a plurality of tumbling drums carried between the members, upper track means arranged to engage the outer peripheries of the drums and to support the same and to effect rotation of the drums in one direction as the drums move over the upper runs of the flexible members, and lower track means arranged to engage the outer peripheries of the drums and to support the same and to efiect rotation of the drums in a reverse direction as the drums move over the lower runs of the flexible members.

9. A cleaning machine comprising a pair of endless flexible members mounted for parallel synchronous movement, each member having an upper run and a lower run, a plurality of tumbling drums carried between the members and having openings in their peripheries, means for rotating the drums as they are advanced by the endless members, the drums carried by the lower runs 'of the members passing beneath the drums carried by the upper 111118 of the members, a hopper for cleaning compound above the upper ,runs of the flexible members, a valve in the hopper, and means for actuating said valve in response to movement of a drum to release a quantity of cleaning compound from the hopper to fall by gravity into a drum through the peripheral openings in the drum, and the drums arranged so that cleaning compound released through the openings in the drums carried between the upper runs of the endless members falls y gravity through the peripheral openings in drums carried between the lower runs of the members.

10. A cleaning machine comprising a tumbling drum for holding articles to be cleaned, a plurality of openings in the drum, means for rotating the drum, a hopper disposed above the drum for containing fresh cleaning compound of comminuted solid particles wetted by a suitable liquid cleaning agent, means for releasing a quantity of fresh cleaning compound from the hopper to fall by gravity into the drum through the openings, said releasing means including a member engageable with an element of the drum rotating means to periodically actuate the releasing means, and means closely underlying said drum for catching and retaining the cleaning compound.

11. A cleaning machine comprising a pairof endless flexible members mounted for parallel synchronous movement, each member having an upper run and a lower run, a plurality of tumbling drums carried between the members and having openings in their peripheries, means for rotating the drums as they are advanced by the endless members, the drums carried by the lower runs of the members passing beneath the drums carried by the upper runs of the members, a hopper for cleaning compound above the upper runs of the flexible members, a valve in the hopper, means for actuating said valve in response to movement of a drum to release a quantity of cleaning compound from the hopper to fall by gravity into a drum through the peripheral openings in the drum, the drums arranged so that cleaning compound released through the openings in the drums carried between the upper runs of the endless members falls by gravity through the peripheral openings in drums carried between the lower runs of the members, and means closely underlying said lower runs for catching and retaining the cleaninglcompound.

NICHOLAS V. HAGOPIAN. 

